 |
|
|
Jack Jackrabbit was nibbling on some mushrooms in the woods when he happened to overhear the Groom brothers discussing dinner plans.
“I’m craving a nice rabbit stew,” he heard Gil Groom suggest.
“Ah, but a nice turtle soup tickles my fancy,” his brother Gus replied.
“Ok, then let’s make it a contest. If you’re the first to bring back a turtle, turtle soup we’ll have. Else if I catch a rabbit first, a fine hare stew we’ll enjoy“.
Jack had to control his ears to keep them from giving him away. He thought quickly. How could he lure Snap Snapping Turtle out of the river?
“Of course, I’ll just invite him to lunch. While he’s on his way, Gus will grab him.”
Quickly travelling a narrow path to the river, Jack called out over the water, “Snap Snapping Turtle are you there?”
Snap awoke from a nap, yawning. “Who is it?” he asked.
“It’s Jack Jackrabbit. Would you come have lunch with me today?”
Snap smacked his strong jaws, considering the invitation. Why was Jack Jackrabbit asking him to lunch? Snap didn’t like to get out of the water, where he couldn’t move as fast. Besides, there was plenty to eat here in the river.
“Thank you very much for asking me Jack, but I think I’ll stay at home today“.
“Oh Snap, please don’t disappoint me. I’ve been lonely of late and would surely enjoy your stimulating company,” wheedled Jack.
Now why would that rabbit be lonely, pondered Snap? With his many friends, why should he be seeking my company? “My stimulating company,” thought Snap.
“Well, all right Jack, I’ll come join you for lunch. What time should I be there?”
“Great, Snap! Just come right along as soon as you can. I only need a little time to prepare”.
Dashing back along the path, Jack heard Gus coming through the woods. “How can I get that snapping turtle to come out of the water?” Jack heard Gus say.
Daring to show himself, Jack stepped out onto the path used by the humans to get to the river. Sharing his plan quickly with Gus, he told him about the rabbit trail nearby.
Gus hurried to prepare his trap. Then he went home to tell his brother to get ready for turtle soup.
Gil then knew where to set his trap for rabbit stew.
Ambling along the trail a short time later, Snap thought something didn’t look quite right and perambulated around a fresh, leaf and sand covered hole. Thinking better of his lunch plans, he slowly began to turn himself around to return to the river.
“Snap! Where are you going?” Jack was racing along the path toward the turtle. Suddenly his back foot was caught in a hemp cord loop set by Gil, and likely would have been broken if he had not been slowing to a stop.
“Jack!” The snapper moved as fast as his short legs could carry him. Reaching Jack, he examined the cord that held the leg fast.
“Bet we’ll have rabbit stew and turtle soup both,” chortled the Groom brothers as they left their house.
“Snap, the Groom brothers are coming!”
“They won’t find us on the rabbit trail…will they?”
They, um, they wanted either rabbit stew…or turtle soup.” Jack confessed the whole sordid plan.
Snap had chewed halfway through the cord. Pausing to consider, he thought he might make it back to the river.
He couldn’t do it.
Snap snapped his powerful jaws and the cord snapped.
Terrified, Jack bounded thoughtlessly away. Watching him go, Snap forgave him.
The brother’s footsteps were getting close.
Suddenly remorseful, Jack raced back and told Snap the way to a nearby burrow.
Snap could only move so fast.
Jack ran back and forth to the burrow, anxiety getting the best of him.
The Groom brothers crashed through the underbrush almost on top of them.
“There they are Gil! Both of them!” cried Gus. Both brothers broke into a run, eager to seize their dinner.
Jack’s ears shot straight up! “Huuuurrrryyyy!”
Snap ambled on.
Gus forgot his trap. Suddenly his right foot sank into a fresh hole, tripping him. He flew forward, snapping his ankle.
As Gus howled, Gil’s left foot caught in his loop trap. His feet flew upward and his rear end plopped down, snapping a branch that rose up and walloped him on the side of his head!
Snap ambled back to the safety of the river vowing to never be lured away again.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
|
|
|
